Donald L. Behne — Kasson

The funeral service for Donald L. Behne, 87, of rural Kasson, will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield with the Rev. Paul Hauschild officiating. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Hayfield with military graveside honors by the Hayfield American Legion Post 330.

Mr. Behne died on Friday, June 21, 2019, of natural causes at Seasons Hospice in Rochester, where he had been a resident since Tuesday of last week.

Donald Lee Behne was born March 31, 1932, in Claremont to Walter and Alice (Wigant) Behne. He moved often with his family as they farmed in the rural Sargeant and Hayfield areas and attended country school. In 1956 he entered the Army, serving two years, including duty overseas in Germany.

Donald married Mary L. Lee on June 26, 1954, at East St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Rock Dell. Following their marriage, the couple lived in Hayfield before moving to rural Hayfield and then to their current farm in 1966, where they raised their family and have continued to make their home.

Mr. Behne was a longtime Kasson area farmer and was also self employed as a milk hauler in earlier years. Mary was a homemaker and was employed in housekeeping at Fairview Care Center in Dodge Center for many years. Mrs. Behne died Nov. 7, 2012.

Donald was a past member of West St. Olaf Lutheran Church in rural Hayfield and was a current member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield. He was a member of the Hayfield American Legion Post 330.

Donald enjoyed taking drives and going on day trips with Mary and also going to antique tractor pulls. He liked watching NASCAR races on TV as well as making a few trips to various NASCAR races. He loved sitting on the steps at home playing fetch with his good friend, his beloved dog Toby. He enjoyed time spent with his family, especially all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donald is survived by four daughters and one son, Vickie (Dana) Simonson of Hayfield, Janice Twaddle of Dodge Center, Karen (Barry) Thompson of Owatonna, Donald Behne Jr. of rural Kasson and Bonnie (Bob) Butler of Dodge Center; 13 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and one brother, Ronald (Bonnie) Behne of Apache Junction, Ariz. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, sister Dorene Abrahams and brother Floyd Behne.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield.

Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. Condolences and memories of Donald are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com